This corona virus is sending me over the edge

[brainfogg]

I know no one can tell me it will be ok but I haven’t had anxiety this out of control in about a year. It’s been managed fairly well with meds and I haven’t had any OCD symptoms in ages but it’s all coming back.

I’m washing my hands obsessively, using lots of hand gel, checking the news every 20 mins, not sleeping, last night when DH got back from shopping I wiped every single item with antibacterial spray. Never don’t that before.

My heart is racing constantly, I’m not getting on with things I need to do, I’m debating ordering masks but read they don’t do much. So then I’m thinking get my immune system stronger but what if it mutates into a virus that causes that overreaction of the immune system? Cykotine storm I think. So maybe I’m better not strengthening it too much.

I have a part time job that involves looking after children and am thinking I shouldn’t go because I’m scared I’ll pass it to them or them to me but we need the money.

Sorry for the very long post. I’m in turmoil and I hate that because it’s so selfish of me, there’s people truly suffering and I genuinely want them not to be. I find this world very hard to cope with.

@Bluntness100 I know what you mean but then I worry thinking are they actually facts though? Because I’ve read elsewhere that there are in fact way more cases than being reported, also the death rate is currently higher than the recovery rate which is terrifying. I will try to be logical though and not get into a panic.

True about it being declared is a good thing I just worry it’s all too late. Especially now it’s in the UK I don’t want to go out anywhere and I know it will cause problems for people and let them down.

Brainfogg. Where did you get those facts? I read earlier on bbc that mortality is still at 2%.

Sars was 10% and Ebola 70%

That made me feel a lot better.

The point is the world is informed now where in China things spread before measures were taken. Therefore new cases will be taken seriously before they can take hold.

Everything I've read suggests a death rate of around 2% which isn't that high at all

www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-death-rate/

@madeyemoodysmum I’ve read a couple of threads on here that have listed the number of deaths vs number of recovered but of course that might just mean there’s a long recovery process. I’ve also stupidly read the daily mail which I know is akin to rubbing salt into my eyes.

@dementedpixie thank you for that link, that does help a bit.

Hello all.
Long term HA sufferer here. Joining you as my head is a mess. A total, churning mess.
Managing to mask it for work, kids, just. DH has a very life limiting illness and is about to have a transplant that will leave him immunocompromised.
I’m struggling to cope.
AD’s are levelling things but only just. 😞

Try not to worry. Remember all the countries are now on top of news and research and it we prayer shouldn't be allowed to spread to the sane levels. Love to all. 💐

Hi @OneOfTheGrundys, sorry I haven’t posted on here in a few days but you’re very welcome to share how you’re feeling if you’d like to? I just want to say I’m so so sorry for what’s happening with your DH. I can only imagine what you’re going through right now, how is he doing?
I’m not surprised at all that your head is a mess, you’ve got so much to deal with and I admire your strength a lot.

@madeyemoodysmum you’re right, there’s not much more we can do except trust in the people who do that control here. Unfortunately I just read that in the UK they are still allowing flights from China to arrive whereas other countries inc US have stopped this temporarily. I just don’t trust our government I’m afraid. I’m not a conspiracy theorist btw!! Just had to say that in case it sounds like I am. I just don’t think it’s being handled all that well.
I guess time will tell, I’m trying to carry on as normal but have stopped doing certain things and am still hand washing a lot.

The number of deaths vs number recovered will only be of the people who contract the virus and are then unlucky enough to develop serious complications requiring hospitalisation (usually pneumonia). 97% of people who contract the virus don’t require any medical treatment and recover with no complications. So although the recovery rate for those who develop pneumonia/ complications may be low the general recovery rate is not - the mortality rate is estimated at around 2% and has largely been either the elderly or those with existing health conditions.

I understand health anxiety isn’t logical but the risk of contracting the coronavirus in the UK is low and even if you somehow did the risk of developing complications is also low.

Your doing great 👍
It's a tough time to be a worrier.

Hello all.
Feeling a little calmer now. DS2 is ill and can’t be near DH because DH mustn’t get ill so I’ve not slept really since Sunday night.
Feeling rather odd.
I hope you are all ok.
Thank you for your kindness. And patience and calm facts.

Hi. How are you doing @OneOfTheGrundys? Hope your ds and dh are ok and you’ve managed to catch up on sleep.

@MyNewBearTotoro I read your response and it helped a lot but then I read somewhere yesterday that according to The Lancet, 100% of patients with this virus have suffered viral pneumonia! I’m too scared to look it up myself in case I read other stuff that makes me anxious.

I’m not doing very well I’ve already been putting off social commitments and cancelled a couple of things and can only see that getting more and more frequent.
I can totally understand most people not being like me and not panicking or thinking the worst, but I find it really odd how so many of them are COMPLETELY unconcerned in any way! My dad for example is in his mid sixties, has diabetes and angina and I mentioned the frequent hand washing thing and he said it’s just ridiculous and there’s no need. And my mum who has various health issues plus is a heavy smoker is also finding it funny how worried I am - she’s genuinely baffled and said she didn’t give it a second thought 🤷🏼‍♀️

Maybe it’s just some of us who really are being ridiculous to be mindful of this. But then I’ve read quite a few threads on here and the people posting who are worried don’t seem like me, they seem calm, measured, sensible etc. So I feel I’m living in a parallel universe somewhat!

Hi, I live in Macau. There are a few cases here (not like mainland China, which would be very worrying)
Lots of businesses are closed and the casinos, of course, but everyone is calm (only one day of panic shopping .. mainly toilet rolls for some reason!) and just staying at home and wearing a mask outside. The supermarkets are open and fully stocked and people are just pottering about. There is no panic here. It’s very quiet (no Chinese tourists) and pretty boring. Thank goodness for Netflix!
Try not to worry; keep good hygiene and look after your general health.
Hopefully it won’t escalate and things will return to normal soon.
It’s not as bad as the Media/internet makes out.

Your parents' reactions are far more realistic at present, as I think the UK still only has 4 confirmed cases out of more that 64 million of us, so you chance of coming into contact with someone who has been exposed is roughly zero. You certainly don't need to obsessively wash your hands and apply anti bacterial gel. Did you manage to talk to the GP about your OCD OP? TBH, I think the most helpful thing you can do for yourself is make sure you're on anti-anxiety meds. I can't imagine how awful it would be to get so wound about something that is such a minor threat to you here in the UK. You've got far more chance of getting bog standard flu or a cold.

Hi @Tdaadfb100 wow that actually sounds quite sensible what you’re all doing! Netflix always a good idea Have you actually been advised to stay home and close businesses etc or is it the general public making that decision?
It’s so good to hear there’s no panicking going on, that would make things so much worse.
Thank you for your kind words.

@zafferana thank you that’s helped a lot to read. I did speak to the GP on Friday morning, she unfortunately called me when my teenage son was in the room with me and I didn’t want to leave the room in case it made him worry - he also has anxiety. So I couldn’t talk properly and explain how I felt. We just discussed one of my meds. But I’m going to try again tomorrow morning while I’m out. Those figures definitely help to keep it in perspective.
Yep it’s horrible worrying so much about this, it’s just one of many unfortunately, most of my time is occupied by thoughts of something bad happening either to me or someone I love, and I have intrusive thoughts too which are draining.

If you find facts and figures reassuring OP then perhaps it would also help you know that according the official figures for infections/deaths, the rate is around 2% i.e. if you were to be infected then your chance of dying is around 2% and I think everyone who has succumbed so far has had underlying health issues. However, it is widely accepted now that the vast majority of those becoming infected don't even realise - either because they get no symptoms at all or because they're so mild that they don't go and get tested. So that 2% figure is likely a huge overstatement and the real risk is many times lower than that. HTH

We are all following government advice. (Macau/HK/China are separate .. but still part of China)
You don’t get arrested for forgetting your mask, but would feel very awkward being on a bus, for example, without one. Normally, it’s a very, very busy place so you can see how these things would spread quickly, but it’s a bit of a ghost town outside, no so drama.
When the expat pub closes.. then I’ll start to panic! ;-)

@zafferana yes that definitely helps, I guess I’m just worried that this isn’t the real figure which is what I keep seeing people say on various forums. Then I think about the doctor in Wuhan who died and was in his thirties with we presume no underlying issues, guess we don’t know that for sure. Your posts are definitely a huge help though and I appreciate them ❤️ I’m trying to not read too much.

@Tdaadfb100 wow it sounds so different from how it usually is there, I’m glad though that the government is advising people well and more importantly that people are listening!
Haha yes if that pub closes it’s not a good sign 🙈

Hi OP just wondered how you were getting on? Did you manage to speak to your GP?

I found this thread helpful to know others are like me, I've got bad OCD/emetophobia and somehow have become obsessed with the coronavirus too.

Hey @Be1atrix that’s so nice of you to ask. I managed to speak to her briefly but as my son was with me I couldn’t talk properly so we just spoke about my medication. I will have to try tomorrow to get another phone appointment.

Oh gosh I’m sorry to hear that 😞 It’s horrible when it takes hold isn’t it? I’m glad you find the thread helpful, is there anything else that’s helping you to cope? It’s nice not to feel alone isn’t it.

Please do call them when you're on your own, you really need some outside help. I hope they can xx

I've had a lot of treatment for my OCD and emet, so am trying to apply it here. Lots of rationalising thoughts, focusing on positive statistics like the 2% one, avoiding media as much as I possibly can as it doesn't help at all.

I know that to feel better I will want to wash my hands, but I also know that feeds the OCD loop- so I'm trying to actively do the Opposite Action (if I want to wash my hands, I'll ask myself if it's needed; have I been to the toilet? Am I about to eat or prepare food?). The treatment for OCD is quite simple- acknowledge the thing that scares you, and do it anyway. Distress/panic/worry won't kill us.

Sorry I'm rambling but just wanted you to know you're not alone, and I really hope you get some peace from it. Your fears are NOT real, but the OCD bully is trying to make you think they are.

@Be1atrix you’re not rambling at all, it’s really nice to talk to someone who understands what it’s like. OCD is horrendous isn’t it? My symptoms come and go to varying degrees depending on what’s going on in my life. About 15 years ago they were at their worst and only flare up occasionally, like now!
I keep getting stressed every time I have to go anywhere or touch anything because I wash my hands well but then touching something else triggers the need to wash them again and it’s an exhausting worry.

I’m glad you’ve been able to get a handle on it somewhat and can think logically about whether you actually need to wash them.

I know from experience that every time my anxiety symptoms escalate the doctors just tell me to increase my antidepressants, almost as a reflex. That comes with its own problems because I get more side effects then and that leads to more health anxiety. I was also under a psychiatrist but stopped going because she was similarly obsessed with the focus on an increase in meds constantly. I’ve seen NHS counsellors who are based quite far away, the nearest one is 11 miles away and I have too much anxiety to travel there - I don’t drive. I did make an effort however but because I cancelled due to severe anxiety on two occasions they discharged me. I’ve seen a private therapist but could no longer afford it after a year of weekly appointments. But I will keep looking for help, I’ve got to try.

Thanks for your kind support

Please try not to worry.

It's does seem that our health authorities are doing there best to keep spread to a minimum and I also heard today Chinese cases are levelling in numbers.

Viruses do peak so I'm praying this is the beginning of a reduction of new cases.

Wishing you all well. X

Thank you @madeyemoodysmum oh I really do hope that’s true about the figures levelling, I can’t bear to read about what life is like for those right in the centre of all of this, it must be horrendous.

I’m in a bad way, just read something on here about a prediction that a high percentage of the UK will be infected eventually. Panicking.

God dont read the crap on here. I find only the bbc news is worth looking at.

It always makes me feel a bit better. It's sensible non scare news reporting.

If we do get more cases remember the mortality rate does seem to be dropping. Vast majority of cases are mild. Children seem to be getting a lesser illness.

It's a worry as my mil has lung cancer and I have many friends with elderly parents that may not get through it but I try to focus on the best outcomes. Tbh. Any serious illness could kill them as they are vulnerable anyway. I try to think of that instead of focusing on this.